When summer decides to crank up the heat, it’s almost impossible to think about turning on the oven. Blueberry cobbler and cherry pie may be your favorite seasonal treats, but baking isn’t fun when the temperature rises past the 90s (as it did in much of the country this week). Don’t discount, however, the possibility of a showstopping cake. On the hottest of days, icebox cake is your secret weapon.

Traditionally, icebox cake is composed of layers of whipped cream and chocolate wafers. Left to chill in the fridge overnight, the wafers soften and take on the texture of cake but keep the taste of cookie. While the classic formula is perfect in itself, there’s a lot of room for creativity using the same technique. Take Ina Garten’s 5-star recipe, for example, which sandwiches spiked mocha mascarpone cream between crispy chocolate chip cookies. The result is known to “make grown men weep,” according to Ina, and she herself has declared it as being not only the easiest cake she’s ever made but also her favorite. That said, her recipe is a good place to start. But don’t fret if you’re not a coffee lover — there’s an icebox cake for everyone.

Get the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe here, and scroll down below for more amazing icebox-cake recipes to satisfy every type of sweet tooth.

It’s only mid-July, but Food Network Magazine editors are already hard at work on the Thanksgiving issue. So while you’re searching for potato salad recipes and ideas for no-bake dessert to bring to the next cookout, their minds are on turkey and pumpkin pie. Help them with their research and vote in the following Thanksgiving shortcuts poll.

From boxed mashed potatoes to canned cranberries, Food Network Magazine wants to know how you cut corners for the big feast. Answer the questions below, then see how your Thanksgiving dinner compares with others in the upcoming November issue.

By now you know that Food Network Magazine’s July/August issue boasts an incredible burger section. And while the endless combinations of bun, toppings and meat blends can (and should) keep you occupied all summer long, there are plenty more all-American summer dishes to make for this BBQ season. The magazine staffers, for example, are beyond excited about the red, white and blue desserts for today’s 4th of July celebration. (The patriotic desserts taste just as delicious on July 5 and every day following, so don’t fret if they don’t make it to this year’s fireworks festivities.) Other highly anticipated recipes from the new issue include 50 things to make with zucchini, no-churn cheesecake ice cream and lobster rolls. Read on to find out what other recipes you should be making.

“We don’t always eat the food we photograph for the magazine — sometimes it’s been sitting out a little too long, or too many hands have primped and prodded it — but no one could resist Jeff Mauro’s lobster rolls (pictured above). As soon as they were shot, everyone on set dug right in. The recipe is super simple, but that’s how I like my lobster rolls: big chunks of lobster meat with just a little mayo and celery. And a butter-toasted bun, of course.”
— Lisa Cericola, Features Editor

The mouthwatering burger you see pictured above features the results of Food Network Magazine’s survey that asked thousands of fans what makes a perfect burger. The findings: Most people cook their patties to medium, are pro-bacon, choose a sesame seed bun over plain and prefer cheddar cheese to American. But voters also shared some less obvious burger additions — like peanut butter, kimchi and pickled beets — revealing that almost nothing is off-limits in burger building.

To celebrate the versatile backyard fare, the July/August issue features an entire section dedicated to the art of the hamburger. From fancy flavored buns to regionally inspired toppings, you’ll find new ways to enhance your grilled patty all summer long. Find snippets of the guidebook below.

Behold the apple fritter: deep-fried dough laced with cinnamon-sugar and fresh apples. These fritters might not be the most photogenic of desserts but they draw loyal customers to the bakeries and donut shops that make them best, teaching us all not judge a dessert by its cracks and crevices. (The more nooks and crannies there are, the more it can soak up the glaze.)

Food Network Magazine wants to know which fritter you think is the most cosmetically challenged (aka ugly). Vote in our ugly beauty contest, then look for the winner in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Images of each of the contestants are below.

With its shiny teal-blue cover and towering cone of homemade mint chip gelato dripping with hot fudge, Food Network Magazine’s Hollywood Edition is easy to spot and hard to resist. The pages are filled with must-try dishes for this season’s upcoming cookouts as well as movie stars’ favorite burgers (along with the not-so-secret recipes), how to host the ultimate movie night at home and crazy popcorn flavors from around the country. We asked staffers which recipes and stories they love most. Find their picks below, but be prepared — you’ll quickly develop a serious craving for an ice cream sandwich.

In our opinion, cold drinks are just about as important for a backyard barbecue as the grub on the grill is. Let’s face it: You’ll enjoy that cheeseburger so much more if you have a summery beverage to wash it down. Kick off this weekend’s unofficial start to summer on the right sip with one (or a few) of these fun and refreshing cocktails.

Ever wonder how Food Network chefs stay so fit? Their days are filled with cooking and taste testing, so you’d think a healthy and balanced lifestyle would be difficult to maintain. But stars like Marc Murphy, Melissa d’Arabian and Marcela Valladolid make it seem easy. From CrossFit to yoga, Food Network Magazine got the low-down on chefs’ favorite workout routines. Scroll through the gallery below to learn their fitness secrets and get inspiration for this grilling (and swimsuit) season.

Slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt, corn on the cob is the ultimate side dish for a backyard BBQ. Many people agree that the boiling method is best but may disagree about how long you need to boil corn. Vote in the poll below to help with Food Network Magazine’s research for an upcoming issue.

To help you decide which recipes to make first, editors and recipe developers weighed in with their favorites. Spoiler: You’ll want to host a pizza night soon. Staffers are very excited about the prebaked crust with customized toppings (pictured above). Find out below what else they’re loving.